Dental disease can be avoided

Does your pet have bad breath or reddened gums?

If so, it could be from gingivitis. Gingivitis occurs when soft plaque hardens into rough, irritating tartar. Tartar build-up on your pet's teeth can cause damage to the teeth and gums.

Severe Tartar Buildup
with Periodontal Disease

If left untreated, gingivitis can lead to an infection called periodontal disease. This disease can cause the loss of teeth.

You can prevent serious dental problems from happening by making sure your pet receives dental exams at the time of each vaccination, again at six months of age, and then annually.

Dental Cleanings

Teeth Cleaning

Your pet's dental cleaning will begin with a physical examination. This is important to evaluate your pet's general health. After the physical exam, your pet is given an anesthesia for a safe and painless sleep during the dental cleaning.

The first part of dental cleaning requires the removal of tartar. This is done with a hand scaler.

Hand Scaling Dog's Teeth

Next, a periodontal probe checks for pockets under the gumline where periodontal disease and bad breath starts. A mechanical scaler is used to clean above the gumline while a curette cleans and smoothes the teeth under the gumline in the crevice.

Your pet's teeth are polished, creating a smooth surface. The gums are washed with an anti- bacterial solution to help delay tartar build-up both under the gumline and on the crown of the tooth.

Polishing of Teeth

Finally, a fluoride treatment is often administered to strengthen your pet's teeth, to desensitize exposed roots, and to decrease infection.